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While Arsenal’s first XI have fended off almost every foe that has stood before them this term, it has been a different story for Mikel Arteta‘s second-string players – as evidenced by Watford’s 4-2 win at London Colney earlier this month – but Lyon were outfought and outclassed against a reshuffled Gunners XI last week.
Gabriel Magalhaes, Eddie Nketiah and Fabio Vieira all made the net ripple in the first half to give Arsenal a 3-0 victory on the day, and they earned the additional point in the four-team tournament by winning the penalty shootout 2-1, thanks in no small part to Karl Hein‘s four saves from the spot.
Arsenal are already in a strong position to lift the Dubai Super Cup, but the big one in the form of the Premier League remains the dream goal for the current leaders, who travel back to base after Tuesday’s game to meet Juventus at the Emirates next weekend.
A Boxing Day clash with West Ham United marks the return to Premier League action for an Arsenal side who will be five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table on Christmas Day – the first time since the 2007-08 season that they occupy first place on December 25 – and a hefty chunk of their World Cup crop are now making their returns.
Across all competitive and non-competitive fixtures, Arsenal have recorded five wins from their last six matches in all competitions – keeping clean sheets in each victory – and pitting their wits against a reigning champion of one of Europe’s big five leagues would be a good indication of their Premier League title credential
Long-term knee victim Gabriel Jesus and Emile Smith Rowe occupy places in the Arsenal treatment room at present, although the latter is still on track to return to action in the New Year following groin surgery. Oleksandr Zinchenko was absent against Lyon due to muscular tightness and may miss out here too.
A bulk of players have now rejoined the squad in Dubai as the World Cup narrows down to four teams, with Thomas Partey, Matt Turner and Ben White – who withdrew from the England squad due to personal reasons – now back in training.
William Saliba is still vying for glory with France, while Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale will take time to recuperate following England’s exit, and the likes of Granit Xhaka, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Gabriel Martinelli are also enjoying extended breaks in the wake of their Qatar eliminations.
As for the injury-hit Rossoneri, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mike Maignan have formed a part of the travelling party as they recover from their long-term problems, while Sandro Tonali, Alexis Saelemaekers, Davide Calabria, Ciprian Tatarusanu and Junior Messias have also made the journey.
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Ex-Arsenal man Olivier Giroud has just knocked England out of the World Cup alongside France teammate Theo Hernandez and will play no part against his former club – the same can be said for Fode Ballo-Toure, Sergino Dest and Rafael Leao. Denmark’s Simon Kjaer is in, though.
With Giroud still competing for World Cup glory, Divock Origi could renew hostilities with English opposition, while another former Arsenal youngster in Ismael Bennacer should also be in the starting 11.
Arsenal possible starting lineup:
Hein; Cedric, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Elneny, Lokonga; Vieira, Odegaard, Nelson; Nketiah
AC Milan possible starting lineup:
Tatarusanu; Kalulu, Tomori, Kjaer, Florenzi; Tonali, Bennacer; Diaz, Krunic, Rebic; Origi